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Wiley's Championship Barbecue trains for state competition

Wiley McCraryowner of McCrary's Championship Barbecuehas trained his wifeJanetand five others in his barbecuing prowess so they can compete inGa.this weekend. (Corey Dickstein/Savannah Morning News)

Barbecue runs through Wiley McCrary's blood, but after 13 years on the competitive barbecue circuit, competition no longer does.

The 13th annual Georgia State Championship Barbecue Cookoff - this weekend in Dillard, Ga. - will be without McCrary, the owner of Wiley's Championship BBQ and former Georgia champion, for the first time since 1997.

"I've done it for years," McCrary said. "It's old hat to me."

But the McCrary tradition is not about to end.

McCrary has dedicated this season to training a team to defend his legendary career.

This, however, is no ordinary barbecue bunch. Comprised of six members, the team is led by McCrary's wife of 16 years, Janet McCrary.

Janet McCrary said being in charge is not something she's used to, but she's up for the challenge of leading the team.

"Team Wiley has been practicing many weekends," she said. "We practiced all day Saturday. We feel confident."

The team will compete in all categories. These include the traditional chicken, pork ribs, pork and beef brisket; as well as the side contests of cabbage, dessert and shrimp and grits.

It may seem odd for people with "regular" jobs to be competing in barbecue, but Smith said it's something he has wanted to do for some time.

"I got geared up to do one, two or three years ago," Smith, who has been barbecuing in his backyard for years, said. "But then I started this law firm and needed to focus on that."

This is Smith's second competition.

While this is the first time for the McAlisters, Mike McAlister said that Wiley has prepared them.

"They don't play around here," McAlister said. "We're in this to win."

The competition starts Friday and the winners will be announced Saturday.

Smith said the team is ready to get cooking.

"We've done some cooking and sampling," Smith said. "We're really working on getting the team gelled. I think we're prepared to go, and we're hoping for great results."

A win at the Georgia Championship would qualify the team for the 21st Annual Jack Daniel's World Championship Invitational Barbecue in Lynchburg, Tenn., at the end of October.

"Sending these young enthusiasts all the way up to Dillard is as big a thrill as my going," Wiley McCrary said. "I feel like they've already won regardless of the outcome. It's just so great to see them all fired up and enthusiastic about doing this."